Preview week 10 M2EN

With Matt grabbing the victory last week and claiming one point back, there is blood in the air and he wants a second winning week.

Melbourne host Ashbourne in Round 10 - always a feisty affair. A past players lunch prior to the game should ensure a decent crowd. No predictions as usual.

The other fixtures are as follows.

Long Eaton v Lincoln
Long Eaton, strong at home, Lincoln not good on the road though they did win at Southwell last week. Long Eaton will be looking to get back to winning ways after their draw last week. Both sides have a big pack and with the weather turning now, it could be a real forward battle. Pete predicting a home win here and Matt agrees knowing that a strong squad and home form should count here.

Matlock v Ashby
Ashby will be buoyant after last week’s win but was that a true reflection of their form? Matlock will provide another stern test and their confidence will have to be sky high. Matlock need to get back to winning ways themselves and with home advantage counting for a lot both Matt and Pete see Matlock winning here.

Loughborough v Ilkeston
Hmm. Tough call here. A lot of the teams in this league are struggling to win away from home and I think this will be the case here with home advantage seeing a Loughborough win in a close game. Matt fancies Ilkeston though following two very positive performances in recent weeks.

Newark v Southwell.
Having seen Newark and Southwell in the last 2 fixtures, Southwell are going to find it tough at Newark. Newark though lost a big second row forward with injury and their 10 red carded last week so will this affect their strength? Pete thinks not and cannot see any further than a big home win and Matt agrees - it would be a real upset if Southwell were to win the local derby.

Market Rasen v Dronfield
Another tough call. Rumour has it that a weakened Market Rasen went to Ashby and were well beaten, but Pete suspects they will be strong at home. Dronfield though are ticking along nicely and will provide a physical test to Market Rasen. Pete predicting a Dronfield win just to be different from his home wins in all the other fixtures. Matt is going for Rasen though as he sees that home form will count plus Rasen are looking for promotion and will be needed to setting their path straight once again.

So Pete and Matt agreeing on 3 of the 5 fixtures. Differing on the Loughborough and Market Rasen games.